so...

My internet at my house is not working right now, so I haven't been able to update anything. I'm at work now and really shouldn't be on here, but figure it's early enough this morning that I can make a quick note to at least let you know what is going on. It's so annoying to not be able to get online! But interesting enough, it's kind of nice at the same time...

Anywho, I will post pictures, etc, about New York as soon as I can. Just know that it was AMAZING!!! I love New York so much!!!! I could totally live there. I got to do so many great things and can't wait to share it all with you.

Be patient. Thanks! :)

Publicity Dilemma

Many of you I'm sure have heard of the recent controvery between HBO and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I'll be honest, when I first heard what was happening I was very upset. I felt so protective of something that is extremely sacred and important to me and furious that someone else would feel it appropriate to publicize it. However, the Church put out a statement (the link at the bottom of this post) which helped to calm my heart and fears. I hope you will all read it. I feel like this is the attitude we should have and we must remember that “The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” (Joseph Smith)

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma

We definitely live in the last days with so many uncertainties and hardships, but how grateful I am for my testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and of living prophets on the earth today to guide us.

And P.S. 24 hours from now, I will be on a plane to New York City!!!! :)

Workies

I love the people I work with (for the most part)! But there are a few of us that have become really good friends outside of the courthouse. In fact, of the 4 of us, only 2 of us still work at the court. Yesterday was Jessie's (hereafter known as "J"), birthday so we made a night of it.

We went to Pizzaria 712 for dinner. So yummy! It was a cool little place with a great ambiance and wonderful pizza! Definitely a good date place if you need any ideas...

Then we drove up to SLC and went to the Melting Pot for dessert. It's so worth the drive up there just for desert. It was amazing and so much fun. Also a great atmosphere, but definitely a little pricey. It was so fun though to spend the whole evening with my workies and celebrate J's birthday!

Mateo, Kristin, J, and me
HAPPY BIRTHDAY J!

And just for old times sake...here is a picture of me, J, and K on J's last day of work at the courthouse in her old courtroom. We miss her at the court!

Seriously?!?!?

How is it already MARCH!!!!!!! Where does the time go? I can't believe how quickly time flies! So this month, I have a goal of enjoying every moment and taking advantage of every moment and opportunity that I have.

The countdown is definitely on until I head out to NYC. I am so excited!! Only 11 days! Wahoo! I am going out there mostly to visit my friend Sean, but I will also get to see my former roommate Carolyn. I am going to do a lot of playing while I am there and I can't wait for the adventure! It was a really quickly planned trip, but that makes it even more exciting. I have a huge list of things I want to do while I'm there and can't wait to tell you all about it when I get back. My mom thinks I am crazy to spend a couple days roaming NYC by myself (Sean works and Carolyn is in school) but I am thrilled about it!!

Anyways, the point of this post is to remind us all to enjoy each and every day! Don't let life pass you by!!!

2 weeks from tomorrow...

...this is where I'll be!!

I Love This Kid!!

Tonight I got a wonderful phone call from this adorable kid! He called just to say hi and we chatted for about 10 minutes. He is so funny! Easton absolutely brightens my day! He is such a good boy and he loves to have fun with all of his buddies. And he especially loves to have sleepovers at Aunt Jen's house! (hint hint :) I love Easton so much and am so grateful that he is my nephew! Our family just woudn't be complete without him. I love you East!!
Easton also has a pretty stinking cute sister!! We love having her in our family too. I can't believe that she is 6 months old now! She is so sweet and I love listening to her laugh and talk. This picture is of Shell, Averie and I on Christmas morning. For our family gift, my parents are taking all of us to Disneyland in April. We are going during Michelle's spring break and over my Dad's 50th birthday. I am so excited to take the kids! But I'm excited for the big kid stuff too! Space Mountain here we come!!

Anway this post is about the kids...

Thanks for calling tonight Easton! I love you both and am so grateful that I get to be your aunt!!

FYI

I LOVE THE BIGGEST LOSER!!

Did any of you watch it tonight? Oh. My. Gosh. It was incredible! I cried. You should all go watch it now. It is so inspiring and I want Jillian to be my trainer. Go blue and black teams!! (they are both from Mesa and I'm pretty sure are both members of the church, not that I'm biased or anything :)

Sister Watt

This is just a little shout out to my amazing and beautiful cousin Jesica. She received her mission call last thursday and I am so excited for her. She will be serving at the Kirtland Ohio historic sites. So fun!! I know that Jes will be an incredible missionary and she is going to love every minute of it. I'm so proud of you Jes!

Also I was just thinking about my baby brother and the fact that he has been on his mission for 15 months. Crazy! Time really flies. I love hearing from him each week and am so grateful for his example and his testimony. Keep working hard Ky!

I love missionaries!! :)

Castillo Crazies

Last weekend my family went to Twin Falls, Idaho for my cousin's wedding reception. Steven and Emily were married in Portland on December 20th and then had a reception in TF last weekend. It was a blast! There isn't much to do in Twin so we made our own fun. And believe me, when you get any Castillo's together it is a p-a-r-t-y!!
We went to the mall, lifted weights in our hotel, went to the wedding reception (where all these pictures were taken), went swimming and hot tubbing, and played games until way too late! Seriously, my family rocks. We have so much fun together. It is so fun now that the younger cousins are all teenagers and we can all hang out. They are so cool. It was also really good to get to know my cousin Tono's fiance better. We're so excited for the party that will be their wedding in May!! :)

Shoveling

Shoveling snow counts as a workout right?!? Well, tonight it does for me. I got home from work to my driveway with 5 inches of snow piled up. I decided to forget the gym tonight and shovel instead. It took me an hour to shovel it all and of course, by the time I was done, there was another 1/2 inch that had fallen. So much fun! NOT!! This is how I looked after my shoveling "workout"...

NOT PRETTY!